Rachel Kin,
Rockland Community College
Pathways 9 was nothing like the birthright trip I had gone on, because
Pathways was just too good in comparison. The combination of the fact that
it was beautifully organized, with a fabulous, warm group of staff, and
great itinerary earned this trip as the most amazing time in Israel I had
ever had.
I was excited to learn that some of the most famous speakers were going to
be giving lectures, and the speeches really hit home for me... those are
lessons I will remember for life.
I loved the fact that we would learn and listen to lectures daily... it
was almost like a shot of "Jewish adrenaline" for the day.
Mira Khiyayeva,
Atlanta, Georgia
Thank you Pathways for giving me an opportunity to view and learn more about my heritage in Israel! It was a wonderful experience. I learned a lot from the lectures and the nice rabbis. Hiking, rappelling, zip lining, attending lectures, and Shabbat in Jerusalem were fantastic experiences! Thank you.
Jeremy Lerner,
University of Arizona
This trip was the best Jewish experience I've ever had! I loved the entirety of the trip. Pathways was a fantastic resource to get some questions answered, but an even better resource to inspire me to think of my own questions about Judaism and a route to get those questions answered. Pathways basically brought up more questions than it answered, but I wouldn't have it any other way. The program left the door open to find my own answers and to look in other resources for these big questions. I have never been inspired to do anything about it. Now I am, and I have Pathways to thank for that.
Josh Finklestein,
Queens College
I just returned home from my Pathways Israel experience. It was the single most inspirational experience I ever had the pleasure of being apart of. Each lecture was so deep and motivating. Each speaker helped connect the dots of Judaism in a way that I fully understood.
Missy Nagin,
Arizona State University
This was my first time in Israel and participating in this program proved a life changing experience. I was able to explore my Jewish culture in an open and safe environment, with people who really cared for me. Each day’s theme connected me to my past, my present and allowing me to explore my future.
Throughout my time in Israel I grew as a person and realized a lot about who I am and where I am going. All my life I have known what I want to do when I grow up, but that was it. I can now confidently say that I not only know what I want to do but, more importantly who I want to be. Pathways provided me with a unique opportunity to explore within me and gain a true sense of my Jewish identity.
Now that I am home people keep asking me about my trip. The one thing that I respond with is, that it is amazing to me how I felt so connected and at home at a place so foreign that I have never been too. While in Israel I felt like a link in a chain, thousands came before me and thousands will come after me, but without me the chain will break. My first experience in Israel was all that I could have asked for, and I cannot wait to return in the near future. There are no words to describe how meaningful this experience has been to me. Thank you.
Robin Prize, University of Florida
The Pathways trip was like a crash course on my own soul, and it affected me deeply...Since getting back I have done my best to continue my learning...I do my best to spend each Shabbat in the Jewish community in Miami Beach, where I can learn even more. This trip was one of my best Israel experiences, and easily the most deep and spiritual. My Birthright trip piqued my interest in my Judaism, my Pathways trip left me in love with it
Shir Herman, Concordia University, Montreal
My experience on Pathways was beyond amazing... I have never experienced such amazing Shabbats in my life. I don't even have the proper words to describe how it made me feel, but what I do know is that I would like to experience one just like it more often...I have learned more on this 16 day trip than I have learned in 11 years of Jewish school.
Jessica B., University of Wisconsin, Madison
During the Pathways trip, I saw Israel and Judaism in a completely new and meaningful way...Pathways encouraged questions, debate, and individual thinking... The trip helped me evaluate my own values, lifestyle, and relationship with Judaism.
Matt Weil, University of Wisconsin, Madison
When I, a mostly secular, culturally Jewish student who hadn't been to Shabbat morning services since beginning college, signed up for Pathways, a trip to Israel affiliated with an orthodox yeshiva, I naturally expected the worst...On my first morning in Israel, I listened intently while Rabbi Cowland somehow related the concept of God in a way which nobody had been able to, made it make sense - while simultaneously affirming that Judaism – and the Pathways trip - aimed to allow them their followers their own understanding of life, to not brainwash them...these lectures had substance and already have proven thought-provoking, quite contrary to my initial expectations...Before the trip, I had never thought I would listen to many of these lectures after returning to the United States as I have on several occasions – in returning to the material, perhaps I can come back to the same conclusions and ensure they stick with me...Even as the classes proved stimulating, the daily touring and traveling turned out even more enthralling...One cannot put into words the unimaginable beauty and diversity of this country, through the Golan, the Negev, Galil, and Judean Desert. The Pathways trip somehow succeeded in linking each area to particularly accurate themes of study and learning as well, injecting it with even more meaning...I have an urge to learn more about Judaism than I did before, and need to go back to Israel once again.
Jennifer Azimov, McGill University, Montreal
Pathways was the trip to Israel I was missing, as it taught me the importance of being Jewish, staying Jewish and keeping our heritage and religion alive in order to pass it down from generation to generation. Because of Pathways, I hope to keep growing spiritually as a Jewish woman, as this trip had made me open my eyes, helped me see things in a different light and taught me the importance of learning, appreciation and the importance of being Jewish.
Alyssa Novick, Arizona State University
For me, the learning on this trip was a brand new experience. I have learned with a Rabbi one on one for about a year now, but have never been in a setting like this before...The way the classes were set up, to have a lecture, small group work, and then another lecture based off of the small group work, was extremely beneficial. Everyday I was brought into a different world of learning, on a different topic that would send me through the roof with questions and inner struggles...I walked out of every session deep in thought about how that topic related to my life... This staff is incomparable...unlike any other staff I have ever experienced Israel with before...I was so impressed by the level of love and compassion that these young men and women have for Judaism and for us...I got off of the plane in Newark and took a breath and cried. I have gained so much knowledge about Judaism, I don't even know where to put it. I can't wait to be able to sit down and listen to the Shiurim again, and pick things out that I missed during the lectures. I grew so much on this trip and my eyes were opened even more to the wonderful world that is Judaism.
Michael Kantor, University of Central Florida
I just got home from my first Shabbos back in the States since Pathways. It was great to actually keep Shabbos here (which I'm not sure I've ever really done before) and to do it in such a thriving Jewish community...Having delved into textual learning for the first time I am more than anxious to see what new layers of meaning I will explore in the future...Clearly, this was just the tip of the iceberg. I can honestly say that I am a better person and have a fuller picture of Judaism because of the Pathways program you so beautifully orchestrated.
Alexzandra Nardulli, Arizona State University
Being a student in this crazy day in age it's very easy to get caught up in all the things college has to offer and unfortunately Judaism isn't one of them...Every day my mind was stimulated with new ideas and concepts that made me think about the impact of Judaism on my life and in our world...Our time was so jam packed with amazing speakers and thrilling adventures all over Israel that it was easy to lose track of all the concepts learned. At the end of our trip the Pathways staff gave each student a flash drive with the shiurim from our trip. I have personally taken advantage of the audios and listen to them often, re-listening to the shiurim allows me to remember the concepts and helped me recall the daily themes...The Pathways trip was a great continuation of visiting Israel on Birthright because it was a totally different trip exploring Israel and involved Jewish learning. Since learning with the Pathways program I have made the decision to go back and learn in Israel after I graduate from College.
Jarrod Mark, Stanford University
I think that Pathways was a great trip in that it allowed the students to explore the cornerstones of Judaism (G-d, Land, and Torah)... the program delves into the deeper, philosophical side of Judaism that few programs are willing to enter. The proof of the powerful influence the program has on its participants is evident in the fact that over half of the students on my trip decided to extend their airline tickets in order to study in Yeshiva/Seminary. Although Pathways is the first authentic Jewish learning experience for many of its participants, it is surely a catalyst for a life long journey in Jewish Education. As a student at Stanford University, studying human biology and biblical studies, I would whole-heartedly recommend Pathways trip to any Jew who is interested in learning more about his heritage, and what it truly means to be a Jew.
Konstantin Garibashvili, Loyola University, Chicago
For a secular Jew who was raised in Moscow and later moved to Chicago, Israel was simply a distant place I heard about on the news for a very long time. When I had the chance to go there via Birthright last year, in the summer of 2007, I gained a completely new, personal, and genuine perspective of this great state...When I came back from the last year's trip,...I knew that I still lacked something - a spiritual connection, if you will...This is where Pathways came in...for a rigorous learning experience not just about the history of Israel as a state but also about Judaism...Staying up whole nights, I will never forget the invaluable conversations I personally had with the Rabbis about the Jewish customs, science and Judaism, and other topics...Apart from all the breath-taking sightseeing and the wonderful people that were on this trip..I learned a great deal about Judaism through Pathways. Prior to coming back home to Chicago, I decided to attend weekly Torah reading sessions to become more connected with my Jewish self and become more aware of Jewish traditions. Through reading excerpts from the Torah during the study sessions and interactive workshops, I now feel a longing to become more acquainted with the Jewish texts myself... All I can say is that I am glad to I made the decision to go on this life-changing and unforgettable trip!
Esther Gross, Chicago
The classes, the excursions, the people, the experiences - there is nothing comparable to them...the thing I'm most grateful for is that I was able to learn on my own. I came home a more calm, logical, knowledgeable, and kind person. Having been on this specific trip, with these people, I found a piece of myself I was sure I lost, and I discovered parts of myself that I didn't know about. I was able to understand myself and grow as a person. I appreciate the opportunity to become a better person, a more learned person, and have met all these wonderful role models.
Alexandra (Sasha) Baron, Chicago
What I got out of it was much more than I could possibly envision. I got questions answered that only the soul knew I was asking and the brain could not even comprehend. This spiritual journey left me both energized and wholesome as I realized that the part of me that was lost kept asking the wrong questions and looking for the answers in the wrong places.
Jessica Lipsitt, Arizona State University (after Pathways joined learning program at Midreshet Rachel)
Dear Pathways,